[WRC] News & Rumours 2021

[AnttiL]

But this is quite different version of split - it was one-event replacement due to time issues. All other are for different reasons.

Similar to Loudon stepping in for Patterson for one rally

[Fast Eddie WRC]

A British round of the WRC in Northern Ireland is understood to have been earmarked for one of the remaining spots on the 2022 calendar, but its go-ahead will require the imminent conclusion of a funding agreement:

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/promo...ish-wrc-round/

[er88]

Not this again. Wish NI would just put up, or shut up. Not a fan of having the event out of the forests on the mainland anyway, but...

[Eli]

Not this again. Wish NI would just put up, or shut up. Not a fan of having the event out of the forests on the mainland anyway, but...

Anyhow, good to know Finland are finalizing their deal for next year and it seems (finally!) after 10 years we'll get back Rally New-Zealand. Fingers crossed!

[er88]

Anyhow, good to know Finland are finalizing their deal for next year and it seems (finally!) after 10 years we'll get back Rally New-Zealand. Fingers crossed!

2 iconic events that belong on the championship. Great news.

[AnttiL]

So the calendar could be as follows (order not known):

Monte
Sweden
Croatia
Portugal
Sardinia
Safari
Estonia
Finland
New Zealand
Acropolis
Northern Ireland
Catalunya
Japan

Maybe NI is replaced by Ypres if they cannot get it organized?

I wonder what happened to all American rallies suddenly...

[EstWRC]

it would be a good calender IMO, even better if one of Mexico, Argentina Or Chile would be thrown into

[er88]

it would be a good calender IMO, even better if one of Mexico, Argentina Or Chile would be thrown into

Would love one of those over Sardinia. Personally that's a rally that does nothing for me. It's not San Remo on the mainland etc, it's not a proper rough event like Greece or Kenya, doesn't have the heritage of a Portugal etc. Just think there's a lot more interesting events like the ones you mentioned.

Appreciate it's a nice holiday and rally to go to though.

[djip]

Would love one of those over Sardinia. Personally that's a rally that does nothing for me.

Can't agree more. It has little character, is just "one more of the same" and road cleaning is way too important. Not to mention it is on an island, which argument was used to bin Corsica (which btw had great character in the past but not anymore).
Given the need for less euro-centric championship and building value through iconic events, many other alternatives would be better off (Argentina and/or Mexico, NZ...). Even Arctic and Croatia bring more value/excitment !

[Franky]

Sardinia not brining excitement seems a bit odd when looking at the results of the last five events held there. This year was the first one since 2017, where the gap between 1st and 2nd has been greater than 13,7 seconds. During those five years there's been one rally won on the last stage (2018, Ogier vs Neuville, final time difference 0,7 seconds), in 2019 the final stage drama for Tänak resulting in Sordo's victory.

And considering some of our Greek members comments about the road works on the Acropolis route, can we say that it will be a proper rough event?